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3 B's and Strawberry Tempeh Quesadillas

3 B's: Back, Biceps, Boxing
When Jason got up at 5 am to go swim, I thought very fleetingly about getting my cardio done. Then I promptly fell back to sleep. I wasn't overly concerned, sleep is more important sometimes - especially on a Monday.

I did my weights at lunch. Today was pull muscles for upper body: back and biceps. I did the following as supersets of 3 sets of 8 reps. 

SS#1
Pullovers
Alternating biceps curls

SS#2
Double-arm rows
Cross-body biceps curls

SS#3
Single-arm horizontal rows
Incline biceps curls

Lat pull downs with blue (heaviest) band - 2 X 16
1 set of 21's for biceps

This was a pretty good workout. I was feeling stronger today, and should likely have gone heavier for some of the back exercises. I feel like I'm never able to get the back gains I'd like though. I do not have a pull up bar. We tried to buy one - the kind that fits every door. Apparently as long as the house was not built in 1890. The bar would not fit in any of the doorways in our house, not a one.

After work, I opted for Cathe's MMA Boxing. Love that workout, especially after a leg day. I also stretched for a bit while watching the Food Network.

Strawberries for Mexican Monday
Jason picked up a ton of strawberries on Saturday. So, I decided to make good use of some of them for dinner tonight. Jason was wanting to do something with a fruit salsa. So, I made up a Strawberry Salsa to go with Strawberry Tempeh Quesadillas.

Strawberry Salsa
Ingredients:
Strawberries, diced
2 green onions, diced
1/4 green bell pepper, diced
2-3 jalapenos, minced
1/4 red onion, minced
Splash of OJ
Salt, pepper, agave nectar to taste.

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and allow to refrigerate so that flavors meld together.

Strawberry Tempeh Quesadillas
Ingredients:

Strawberry Marinade 
3-4 tbsp sugar-free strawberry preserves
1/4-1/2 cup OJ
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
To taste: salt, pepper, red pepper, chili powder

Quesadilla
1 package tempeh, cut into 4 slabs
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into stips
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
To taste: salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper, chili powder
Daiya Cheddar (or cheese blend of your choice)
Whole-wheat tortillas (or low carb)

Directions:
In medium saucepan, whisk together preserves, OJ, balsamic vinegar and spices then add in the tempeh. Bring to a low simmer and add in tempeh. Allow to simmer approximately 5 minutes, turn off heat, cover and allow to sit. Once cooled, dice tempeh into strips and return to sauce pan and coat all sides.

In large non-stick skillet, saute onions and bell peppers until soft. Add in spinach, beans, and spices until spinach and beans are heated through. Stir in tempeh and marinade and allow to heat through. Transfer to a large bowl (if using same skilled to cook the quesadillas).

Using a large non-stick skillet or flat griddle, spray with non-stick spray and put down tortilla. Allow to slightly brown, spray and flip. Sprinkle with cheese, spoon on filling to half of tortilla, fold and allow to brown then flip and brown the other side.

Serve with Strawberry Salsa. Optional toppings are sour cream or plain yogurt.

I know that this may sound like a very odd combination, but I can't begin to tell you just how good it was. It was a great contrast of sweet and savory. I will also say that I liked this Strawberry Salsa much better than the tomato version I made here.

Comments

  1. Tempeh is just so good with fruity flavors! I had some in my stirfry tonight, but I set a little aside to eat later with some jam :)

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  2. AnonymousJune 28, 2010

    Dang, I have to buy that MMA kickboxing now :)

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  3. I need to make that marinade. I LOVE the tempeh/jam combo. Mmm.

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  4. Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries This is the first time I've had it with fruit and I loved the way it turned out!

    April @ The Weigh I Am I'm loving that one and the kickboxing.

    Krystina @ Organically Me Let me know if you try it and how you like it!

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  5. I love quesadillas! They are so versatile! Your dinner looks delicious! Have a great night!

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  6. i too love sweet/savory together. actually i like sweet with anything but i totally agree..it can just really bring everything together so well!

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  7. Are you sure you shouldn't add whip cream instead of sour cream;) I would have never thought that Strawberry Shortcake loved mexican! Muy bonita!

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  8. AnonymousJune 28, 2010

    heather i love your approach to sleeping in om mondays and i love how you made a savory dish with strawberries-genius!

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  9. Strawberry Salsa sounds lovely :) Great Dinner!

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  10. Okay, this looks awesome!! You are the salsa queen!

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  11. I love fruit salsa too, particularly mango. Love how you used the salsa tonight.

    I feel your pain on the pull up bar problem. Our walls are too thick for standard bars as well! Maybe Jason can come up with a modification to make it work.

    talk to you later,
    Ali

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  12. That looks great! I would not have done that combination but it does look amazing! I may have to try that since I am on a big strawberry kick right now ;)

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  13. Super interesting combo! But I think I like it ... :)

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  14. omg when i saw "tempeh quesedillas" i literally scrolled as quick as i could to the pic! HOLY!!!! YUM!!!! WAY better than expected! i would eat this up like crazy :)

    i like workouts where i feel stronger the next day too! dont like the "omg i feel like shit" that happens after some workouts tho :( lol

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  15. AnonymousJune 29, 2010

    Wow those strawberries look so good!! You once again, inspire me to get more creative in the kitchen. ;-) And PS. you should totally invest in the push/pull tower from Cathe - worth every dime, seriously.

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  16. Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen The versatility is what makes them so great isn't it - even better with Daiya! That stuff is so creamy.

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga LOL - I guess topping the quesadillas with chocolate would have been up your alley ;-)

    Nichole @ Live for the Run Haha - Strawberry Shortcake was my fave!!! Go figure right ;-)

    Kalli @ Fit and Forty Something What's funny is that I used to really not like sweet at all with my meals. Sweet was dessert period.

    Gelareh @ Nutritious Foodie Thanks girl!

    Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg Salsas are so fun and easy!

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean Oh, Jason has all sorts of "ideas" about how to make a pull up bar work LOL.

    Bela @ It's Life, Max it Out Let me know if you try it out. You can make it as mild or spicy as you want too.

    Alyson @ Nourished Fitness Interesting can be good sometimes. This was definitely one of those times.

    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel Thanks girl - I'll take Holy Yum as a big compliment!!! I actually like to have DOMS the next day b/c it makes me feel like I really worked. I know, I'm not right ;-)

    Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat I'm not sure we have enough space for the tower. I've had Jason look at it though, even made him watch STS to see if he thought he could use it ;-)

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  17. This whole idea of sweet recipes with tempeh is new to me and I like it! Your quesadilla looks amazing. I will add it to my recipe to-do list!

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  18. AnonymousJune 29, 2010

    I love sweet and savory together! These look and sound fantastic!

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  19. AnonymousJune 29, 2010

    I can't do the tempeh quesadillas (soy allergy), but I love the idea of strawberry salsa. While I've heard of peach and pineapple salsas, strawberry's a new one to me. Great idea.

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  20. I love putting fruit in my dinners (especially in mango salsas) so I'm definitely going to have to try this!

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  21. Holy cow...those tempeh quesadillas look AMAZING!

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  22. Dawn @ Florida Coastal Cooking Thank you ma'am. Let me know if you ever get a chance to try it out.

    Madeline@ Greens and Jeans It's a flavor combo that I'm beginning to really enjoy.

    Lisa @ Lisa's Foods on the Move You could so easily use another protein of course. I love a good peach or pineapple salsa too.

    Chelsea @ The Healthy Munchkin I often forget about including fruits. They make great sauces too.

    Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly Thank you!!!

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  23. Strawberry salsa oh my word yum!

    xo

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  24. I had to come and stop by to see how you are doing! Still coming up with amazing recipes I see. And getting in awesome workouts. I wouldn't expect to see anything less. :)

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  25. All look fantastic esp the strawberry salsa. I'm still a little conservative with tempheh.

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  26. AnonymousJune 29, 2010

    I had tempheh for the first time not too long ago and I definitely went back for more! I LOVE IT! I located pictures of it as soon as I saw your post title :)
    Katherine

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  27. HOLY YUM! The thought of strawberry salsa totally makes my mouth water - I LOVE fruit in my salsa!! :-D

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  28. AnonymousJune 29, 2010

    wow that is so creative to add a fruit (other than pineapple) to salsa! I'll have to try that asap since i have some strawberries left and love mexican food!

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  29. Erica @ Fashion Meets Food Yum seems to be the popular adjective ;-)

    Tina @ Tina Bit of Faith Fitness and Fun Welcome back! You're way too sweet girl!!!!

    Mangocheeks @ Allotment 2 Kitchen I think the key with tempeh is to marinate in wetter sauces.

    Katherine @ What About Summer Tempeh is definitely not something everyone likes. If you like it, I think you'd like this.

    Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life There's that word again - "yum." I definitely take it as a compliment!

    The Rabbit Runner If you try it out, let me know. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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  30. mmmmmmmm these recipes look fantastic! I'm really excited to try them!

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  31. Erin @ The Healthy Apron Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy and please let me know how you like them!

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